Remembering death

It is desirable for the Muslim to remember death, because the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) encouraged to remember death[1] and to increase in remembering death; this so that one will prepare for it, without becoming negligent with regards to oneself and the Hereafter.

He should therefore always remember death. And he should stop himself from committing sins. And he should force his soul into obeying Allah (عز و جل) and prepare himself for death.

However, when he becomes negligent with regards to death, then he will give his soul respite, which will result in his soul continuing with committing sins and delaying asking for forgiveness. And when he falls into sins he will give his soul some slack (he becomes lax), without hasting in asking for forgiveness, and as a result of that he will forget that death is near and his days are limited. And when death comes, he is not able anymore to ask for forgiveness.

Due to what is mentioned above, it is incumbent upon the Muslim to prepare himself, without forgetting to remember death or being negligent thereof. Knowing that death can come at any moment and time, so that he will increase in performing good deeds and so that he will ask forgiveness for his sins.

[1] Narrated by Ahmad (2/292), at-Tirmidhee nr. 2307, an-Nasaa’ee (4/4) and Ibn Maajiah (4258) from the narration of Abee Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) with the expression: “increase in the remembrance of the destroyer of pleasure (i.e. death).”

Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him

Translated by Salafi-Dawah.com.Source: Taken from the explanation of Zaad al-Mustaqnee` p. 152. Click here, to view a scan of the page.